Career and Job Search Help Blog

Quite a few innovative people have come to the Toronto Reference Library looking for information about particular companies. I always hope that they get the job for which they are applying. Researching the companies that you want to work for, serves two purposes: 1) the more you can find out about the company or organization, the easier your decision will be as to whether or not you want to work for them, and 2) prospective employers expect you to research them and will be on the lookout for evidence that you have done your homework. You can show how enthusiastic you are to work for them, and leave a favourable impression on that employer!

So, how do you do this? Remember our past posts on how to use Scott’s Business Directories Online, Mergent Online, Marketline, Business and Company Resource Centre, and Financial Post Advisor? You may also find articles about the company (if they have done anything newsworthy) in Toronto Public Library’s electronic journals and databases. Information about publicly-owned companies is considerably easier to locate, more so than privately-held firms. In Canada, all public companies are legally required to file documents (including annual reports) with the Canadian Securities Administrators in the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (www.sedar.com) which you can access for free.

Corporations as a whole are generally easier to find information about than their subsidiaries or divisions; but, what if you do not know the name of the holding company? The Toronto Reference Library has a multi-volume series entitled, Who Owns Whom, which lists international businesses and their subsidiaries. Of course if the company you are interested in, has only one location, this company will not be listed here. There are many other company directories available at TRL, so you may find what you are looking for.

Aside from exploring the company’s website, you should also talk to the local chamber of commerce and trade associations, read corporate/industry magazines, news releases, and product brochures. Example: if you read about the company in The Globe and Mail, you will show that you know a fair bit about the company; but, if you read Chemical Week, that shows you are serious! Sure, it is hard work; however, it will pay off in the end. And the more you do this, the more efficient you will get at researching companies.